what is an architect?
As an architect, you design buildings and develop cultural nuances. You spend time understanding communities and creating spaces that connect and unify people. As a licensed professional, you are qualified to design and advise on the aesthetic planning and execution of unique structures. However, there is far more to being an architect than just designing buildings.
Architects fire the starting pistol for every home, office building, restaurant, park, school and plenty else. In addition to designing, you often help supervise the construction process. You blend diverse disciplines to create functional designs. It is important to do all this while addressing health and safety protocols and building regulations.
Aside from educational qualifications, your attributes boost your architectural expertise. For instance, creativity helps you generate unique concepts and design beautiful structures. You also need attention to detail to prepare comprehensive building plans for construction workers. To create aesthetically pleasing structures as an architect, you should be meticulous when converting concepts into useful instructions.
Would working as an architect suit your creativity? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an architect role.
architect jobsaverage architect salary
According to Job Bank, the average salary of an architect in Canada is $125,444 per year. When you are new to the role, you start with a salary of $100,000 annually. As you improve your skills and experience, your earnings also increase gradually. The most experienced architects take home a salary of $156,837 per year.
how to increase your salary as an architect
As an architect, your earnings depend on your experience and qualifications. For instance, a junior architect is likely to take home a lower salary than a senior architect with years of experience. In a junior position, you support senior architects in their projects or work under their supervision on your projects, which reduces your earnings.
The types of projects you work on also influence your earnings. For instance, when you work on architectural drawings for commercial buildings, the complexity of the projects boosts your earnings. A large complex project attracts a higher salary than working on architectural drawings for residential houses. Aside from the size of the projects, the company size also influences your earnings. When you work for a large organization, there's a good chance you'll earn more since they have unlimited resources.
types of architects
Some of the types of architects include:
- Residential architects: as a residential architect, you utilize artistic skills and architectural design programs to create, shape and remodel homes, including houses, residential towers and other structures. You design and draw plans and may even be responsible for developing budgets for projects.
- Commercial architects: as a commercial architect, you design office buildings and other structures for business. You work on architectural drawings for schools, hotels, offices and government buildings.
- Landscape architects: when sitting in a park or playground or using a local sports facility, you can trace its existence to a landscape architect. These specialists are trained in the development of outdoor spaces. A landscape architect's scope ranges from sprawling university campuses to minimalistic public gardens. They use their creativity to implement safe spaces for their communities.
- interior design architects: as an interior design architect, you are responsible for ensuring that the interior elements of a building are pleasing to the eye. Interior architects (and designers) handle everything, from ensuring that a new building's floors meet regulations to remodelling kitchens in a private home.
- Industrial architects: as an industrial architect, you develop a building that facilitates the smooth running of business operations. You consider the unique properties of all varying business needs —an automobile manufacturer does not need the facilities of a dairy producer, for example. Even companies in the same industry may require different processes.
working as an architect
If you have a good eye for design, consider becoming an architect. Let's dive into the duties and work environments of architects.
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what does an architect do?
Some of the responsibilities of architects include:
- Determining client requirements: as an architect, you create and design buildings that meet your clients’ needs. You meet with clients to discuss their requirements and work with engineers and other construction professionals before design approval. Your job is to advise clients on project requirements based on their budget, site characteristics and local planning regulations.
- Creating technical drawings and documentation: after determining the user requirements, you draw the designs for the construction projects, including residential houses, offices and shopping malls. You create detailed drawings using various computer-aided design (CAD) software. After making the necessary changes, you create the final blueprint that guides construction workers. You also generate other documentation, like design instructions and technical specifications.
- Estimating the cost of projects: as an architect, you create the cost estimates of a project and determine the construction duration. Since you can visualize the entire project and have the technical specifications, you estimate the cost of materials and labour at every stage of the construction project.
- Site visits: during the construction stage, the project manager may suggest changes that require your approval. You do a site visit and resolve the problems that may occur.
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work environment of an architect
Most architects operate from offices when working on drafts, filing permit applications and developing cost estimates. Much of this work is done on a computer. You may also travel to construction sites to negotiate with site agents, civil engineers, clients and contractors. In other architectural roles, you call or meet with drafters, engineers, utility professionals and other architects.
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who are your colleagues?
As an architect, you collaborate with various professionals in the construction industry. You work with civil engineers, quantity surveyors and estimators when creating the building plans. You also work with contracts managers, site managers and construction project managers. Other professionals you are likely to interact with include electrical engineers and project engineers.
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architect work schedule
As an architect, you work uneven hours to meet deadlines, especially if you are juggling projects. Work performance requires accuracy, as an architectural error creates hazards for structures and buildings. Your decisions impact communities, and it's a big responsibility to bear. However, you have a certain amount of freedom to manage tasks and goals on your schedule, just as long as they don't interfere with the projects.
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career opportunities as an architect
As an architect, you have numerous opportunities for career progression. You can move up to a senior role, such as a project manager or construction manager. Alternatively, specialize in design and become an interior designer or architectural designer. Some architects specialize in planning outdoor spaces and become landscape or urban architects.
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advantages of finding a job as an architect through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- Always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- Many training opportunities
- A range of jobs in your area
architect skills and education
Some of the educational requirements of architects include:
- bachelor’s degree: to work as an architect in Canada, you require a bachelor’s degree in architecture from an accredited school of architecture. You can also join the role by pursuing architectural studies from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC). Although some employers require a master’s degree, it’s not mandatory to become an architect.
- work experience and certification: before you get an architect licence, you should complete a three-year internship. This programme includes working under a registered architect and passing the architect registration examination. Architecture is a regulated career in Canada, so you must register with a provincial regulatory body. For instance, in Alberta, you register with the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA). In British Columbia, you should register with the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC).
competencies and characteristics of architects
Being a successful architect requires you to combine different talents. Being able to work creatively and in a structured way is key. Other skills you need include:
- Analytical aptitude: as an architect, you need comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, science and design elements. Architecture work generally requires precision on all these fronts.
- Communication: as an architect, you communicate concepts using various channels. The collaborative aspect of the profession requires you to be able to convey your messages to several stakeholders and collaborators.
- Creativity: an artistic flair is critical to the design, organization and layout of plans. As an architect, you blend functionality and form seamlessly. You put environmental impacts into the equation and consider how best to represent a community and its leaders' intent innovatively.
- Organization: records are an important part of an architect's day-to-day operations. In addition to blueprints, renderings and drawings, contracts and correspondences are also critical to the management of a project. It's vital to keep track of material lists, project details, cost analysis and charting progress. As an architect, it is important to track all materials regarding projects in an organized fashion.
- Technical expertise: software and digital technology are changing the game. As an architect, you cannot afford not to keep track of technological tools and stay competitive. Failing to stay updated with the latest tools and programs makes you less attractive to potential clients and employers.
- Visualization skills: as an architect, you look at every part of a structure, relate it to all other sections, and keep a spatial recognition of how all the components work together. You should also be exceptionally skilled in creating technical drawings.
FAQs about architect jobs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of an architect.
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what are the duties of an architect?
As an architect, you work with clients to help them design buildings that suit their needs. You conceptualize and develop building plans for commercial and residential structures. You also create the design specifications and blueprints that construction teams use to construct buildings.
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how much do architects earn in Canada?
As an architect, you take home an average salary of $125,444 per year. When you are new to the role, you start with a salary of $100,000 annually. With experience, your earnings increase gradually, and you can take home over $156,837 yearly.
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what skills do you need to be an architect?
To be a successful architect, you need a flair for design and creativity to design aesthetically pleasing buildings. You also require business acumen and awareness of social trends when designing architectural buildings.
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is it fun being an architect?
If you enjoy developing new ideas and thinking creatively, you will have fun working as an architect. Visualizing buildings and creating innovative structures is fulfilling. You also design beautiful outdoor spaces.
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how long does it take to become an architect?
Completing a bachelor's degree in architecture in Canada takes five years. Before you start working as an architect, you should also complete a three-year internship as part of your professional training.
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how do I find a job as an architect?
Finding a job near you as an architect is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
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